Stamp applying machine



June 16, 1953 F. GEHRNG STAMP APPLYING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 2a, 1949 OnsNsclf-.Jmol

F E D G EHRING @www Ar 'roRNEYs June 16, 1953 F. GEHRING STAMP APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N QN w -e IN NN ww HN. QM. uw R ...-.ml uw I WR 3, ..0 lwhm. l m Q, I QIVIV ThI IIII" r Nq, d Q. RY .Mmmm E INVENTOR.

D A E l. R F

Y Patented June 16, 1953 `stamp into nal position on the envelope.

fthe, specication continues.

UNITED STATES PATENT l oFFICE y 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in a stamp-applying machine, and has particular reference to a machine adapted for applying postage stamps to envelopes and the like.Y It consists of the combinations, constructions, andarrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed. I

It is proposed in this invention to provide a stamp-.applying machine that is compact in construction, easily loaded with a roll of postage stamps, `and upon being operated will apply one stamp at a time to an envelope or the like.

yBroadly speaking, I provide a machine of the character described having an envelope-receiving slot and a stamp-discharge chute. leading to an envelope inserted into the slot. Al single push `proper position relative to the envelope, severing the stamp from the roll, advancing the severed stamp from the roll, and pressing the severed A number of stampsmay be applied to the envelope in succession by consecutive operations of the push knob.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine that will feed the stamps positively :to the envelope at a speed which will preclude thestamps from being torn accidentally during the feeding thereof. More specically, each stamp is injected initially one-half way into the dischargechute during the return movement'of the push knob from a previous operation. During the depression of the push knob for any partic-v ular operation, the 'water is sprayed onto the underlyingenvelope, and thereafter the stamp is fully inserted into the delivery chute, where it is severed and applied to the envelope. u

. Other objects and advantages will Vappear as,` The4 novel features will be. )Set forth in the claim hereunto annexed.. 'f For a better understanding of the invention,- reference Should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through my stamp-applying machine, and illus'- trating a roll of Stampsinv which the adhesive is applied to the outer or exposed surface of the Figure 2 is a top plan View of the machine, with parts broken away to show the 'interior construction;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the parts at the completion of a stampapplying operation Figure 4 is an enlarged viewof a portion of Figure 1;; and

Figure 5 discloses a stamp applied to an envelope by my machine.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it shoud be understood that various changes, or modiii-cations, may be made within the scope of the appended claim without departing frcm the spirit thereof.

Detailed description vIn carrying my invention into practice, I provide a housing indicated generally at A, which is supported cna baseB so'as to leave an ehvelope-receivingslot I0 therebetween at the for'- y ward end of the housing, as shownin Figures 1 and 3.v These views disclose an envelope C inserted into the slot I Il, with a portion of the' described. After each stamp is inserted into the roll, lthe parts being shown at the start of a stamp-applying operation; y

g VFigure 1a discloses a slight modification of deliveringv the stamps whenthe adhesive is disposed on the inner surfaces'off the vstamps in the roll; f' f' f chute, it is severed from the remaining stamps inthe roll .by ay presser foot I2. AThe latter is disposed for reciprocation in thechute II and is operated by a push knobl I4.

- Priorto each severed'stamp beingapplied to .the envelope CA byl the foot I2,`.a small quantityk of water I5 from a reservoir E is injected by a pump mechanism F upon the surface of the envelope against which the stamp is applied. pump, also, is actuated by the push knob I4, in timed relation with the feeding and severing of the stamps. The reservoir is iilled through an opening provided when a plug I5' is removed.

Returning now to the roll of stamps D, it will be noted the stamps are yarranged in end-.to-end relation to form a strip DI. This stripis wound on a spool I6, whi-ch is vrotatably supported on a shaft Il.v The latter is anchored to the side wall I8 of the housing A by any'suitable means,V for example a cap screw I9 (see Figure 2).

The strip DI of stamps is guided .over the top of an idler roller G, and then is trained along a lower peripheral section of a combined feed and ratchet roller l-I so as to enter the chute 3 II through a slot 29 fashioned in the rear Wall of the latter.

The stamps are provided by the Post Office Department with longitudinal rows of perforations 2| fashioned along the opposite marginal sections of the strips (see Figures 2 and 5). Moreover, transverse perforations 22 are arranged between adjacent stamps. The leading stamp D2 in the strip DI is severed from the next stamp along the transverse perforations 22 by the presser foot I I when the latter is depressed.

As illustrated in Figures l to 3, inclusive, radial pins 23 project from the periphery of the roller H at spaced-apart points therealong corresponding to the height of each stamp. These pins engage with the transverse perforations 22 and move the stamps toward the chute Il with positive action. Circumferential grooves 24 are provided in the idler roller G to receive the ends of the pins 23 that extend through the stamps.

Moreover, a stamp-guiding plate 25 is disposed Also, this plate has recesses 25 therein to receive the projecting ends of the pins 23 as the roller H is turned. As the stamps approach the chute II, they are guided beneath a plate 21 (see Figures iandB).

ed arm 32 having a rounded end 33 bearing against the outer surface of the roll. This arm is swingably mounted on a pivot pin 34, which is anchored tothe side walls of the housing A.

A coil spring 35 (see Figure 1) is disposed to pull the rounded end of the arm against the roll of Y stamps with sufficient force to require the feed roller H to exert a slight pull on the strip DI of stamps in advancing the latter to the chute I I.

The side wall 36 of the housing A has a section 33a that may be removed for giving access to the roll of stamps D, the idler roller G and the swingable arm 32. This will permit a new roll of stamps to be inserted over the shaft I1 and the strip DI of stamps to be trained over the idler roller G and underneath the feed roller H. Cap screws 31 and 38 are threaded into the shafts I1 and 28 for holding the section 36a in place.

In Figure l, the adhesive surface 35 of the stamp strip is disposed outermost. Accordingly, when the strip DI is guided over the idler roller G and pulled downwardly over the lower periphery of the feed roller H, the adhesive surface will be on the underneath side of the stamps. However, in Figure la the adhesive surface 49 of the stamps is arranged on that side of the stamps facing toward the center of the roll D3. In this instance, it is necessary to unroll the stamps in a counter-clockwise direction and to guide 'them beneath an idler roller 4Il before training them over the roller G.

Next, I shall describe the pump F for discharging a small quantity of the water I onto the portion of the envelope C against which the stamp is to be applied. In Figures 1 to 4, I show an upright cylinder 42 disposed alongside the chute II. A piston 43 is arranged for reciprocation in this pump cylinder and has a rod 44 beneath the roller H and holds the stamps up ,against the periphery of that roller.

secured thereto and rising therefrom through guide brackets 45. A coil spring 46 is interposed between the uppermost oi these brackets and a pin 41 anchored to the upper end of the rod 44 (see Figure 4). This rod is urged upwardly by the spring 46 into a normal position just above an orifice 48 provided between the cylinder 42 and the reservoir E.

Referring to Figure l, it will be observed that a bell-crank lever 49 is swingably mounted on a pin V50. One arm of this lever bears against the top of the piston rod 44, while its other arm is provided with a roller 5I. When this bell-crank is swung in a counter-clockwise direction, it will depress the rod 44 against the action of the spring 46 until the piston 43 covers the orifice 48 (see Figure 3). At this time, ow of water I5 from the reservoir E to the cylinder 42 is cut off.

In Figures 1 and 3, vI disclose a reciprccable shank 52 secured to the presser foot I2 and to the push knob I4. This shank has a laterally-projecting cam 53 thereon having an inclined lower end 53a arranged to bear against the roller 5I. The shank 52 is urgedupwardly into the position illustrated in Figure l by a coil spring 54. The latter may be disposed within a thimble 55 secured by a pin 55 to the push knob I4 and to the shank 52. This thimble is slotted at 51 so as to slide over a spider 58 against which the lower end of the spring 54 bears. p y

As soon as pressure is released on the push knob I4, the shank 52 will be returned to its normal upper position (Figure l) by the spring 54. This will retract the cam 53 and the spring 46 will raise the piston 43 again.

A second piston 59 is disposed in the cylinder 42 below the piston 43. Piston 59 is urged upwardly into the position shown in Figure 4 by a spring 60 surrounding a stem 6I depending from the piston 59. This stem may be guided in an apertured cap 62 screwed into the bottom of the cylinder 42 and has a head 6 Ia. thereon to limit upward movement of the piston 59. The purpose of this second piston is to control the discharge of a small body of water I5a (see Figure 4) through one or more outlet orifices 63 leading from the cylinder 42 to the chute I I.

These outlet orifices may be inclined downwardly towardthe envelope C, as suggested in Figure 4, and also farmed laterally, as shown in Figure 2. This will direct a minute spray of water over the portion o f the envelope upon which the stamp is to be applied. It will be noted that the body of water I5a is trapped between the coacting pistons in Figure 4. The Ylower piston 59 seals the orifices 63 (see Figures 1 and 4) until such Vtime as this piston is forced downwardly against chute I I.

The combined feed ,and ratchet ro-ller H, pre viously mentioned; isfashioned with a plurality of teeth 64 spaced around its circumference. The peripheral spacing between adjacent ratchet teeth is equal to one-half of the height of each stamp D. On the other hand, the spacing of the pins 23 around the periphery of the -roller H is equal to the height of each stamp. The rea#4 ly opposite the cam 53. Vcam 1I arranged immediately above the ro-ller69.

j son for'these 4different spacings will beapparent as the specification continues. When the machine is rstloaded' with the stamps, the leading stamp D2 is projected one- -half of its height into the chute II- (see Figures 1 and 4).

Y shank 52 in its uppermost position. Acrescentshaped cam 1I is xed to the shank diametrical- Figure 1 illustrates the As the shank 52 is depressed, the camy 1I willcoact with the roller 69 and swing the pawl 65 and lever 61 into the dot-dash line position shown in this view. This movement will retract the free end of the pawl from the notch 64a of one ratchet tooth and bring the pawl into engagement with the next notch 64b of the following ratchet tooth.

As the shank 52 continues to descend, the cam 'Il will be moved into -a position below the roller 69, as in Figure 3. Prior to the pressor foot I2 reaching its lowermost position, the cam 1I will allow the lever v61 to swing in a. clockwise direcf tion. At this time, the spring 10 will move theV pawl 65 to the right, thus turning the feed roller H a distance equal to one-half of the height of the sta-mp. Accordingly, the entire stamp D2 will be projected into the chute II. By this time,

the pump F has discharged its water spray onto the upper surface of the envelope C.

Further downward movement of the presser pulled to the right by the spring 1D. This will turn the feed roller H in a clockwise direction and will advance another stamp one-half way into the chute Il.

No-w the machine is ready for the next cycle. Each complete downward movement of the pushknob i4 will apply another stamp to the envelope, while each upward movement of the shank 52 will project a stamp one-half way into the chute II. This manner of delivering the stamps will reduce the speed at which the stamps must be advanced, thus reducing the likelihood of tearing the stamps.

The base B may be provided with a guide plate 12 at its forward end. This plate includes ya downwardly-inclined section 12a over which the envelope C may slide during insertion yof the envelope into the slot I0. Moreover, rubber pads 13, or the like, are provided underneath the base B to space the latter above a supporting surface 14 vto prevent the surface from being marred.

It is quite obvious that my stamp-applying machine `may be made in various sizes to accomodate rolls of stamps of different lengths and dienominations, for cnice and family use, etc.-

The arrangement of the roller 5I and cam 53 This lever is'mounted 1 ,.on vrthe diametrically-opposed sidel ofthe-'shank 52 from that occupied by the roller. 69 and cam 'II will serve to reduce strain on the shank. Also,

v the spring 54 operates axially of the shank.

- .Summaryofvopeationf.

'Y The operation of stamp-applying machine 7; is summarized as follows;

used having its adhesive surface` 39 disposed out-.- l

v, In the event that afroll` of. stamps D isbeing wardly, the roll is arrangedk on the shaft I1 in the manner shown. in Figure 1. VOnthe other hand, in the event that a roll' of stamps D3 is being utilized', in which case the adhesive surface 40 faces towards the center of the roll,'the strip fof stamps: is guided beneath the idler roller 4I vas in Figure lo. In either event, the strip DI of stamps isguided over the top of idler roller` G with the adhesive surface towards this roller.

The strip is extended beneath the combined feed and ratchet roller H, and the leading stamp D2 projected one-half of its height into the discharge chute II, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The radial pins 23 on the feed roller are introduced through transverse perforations 22 provided between adjacent stamps (see Figure 2).

At this time, the push knob I4 occupies its uppermost position, as disclosed in Figure 1. Now an envelope C' is introduced into the slot I0, with a portion of the envelope underlying the stampdischarge chute I I. Next, the operato-r depresses the knob i4 to force the shank 52 downwardly. During the initial downward movement of the shank 52, the lower inclined end 53a of the cam 53 will become active on the roller V5I, swinging the bell-crank lever 49 in a counter-clockwise direction. This will depress the rod 44 and its piston 43 into the position shown in Figure 3, that is, the piston 43 will cover the reservoirpump cylinder orifice 48.` The small body ofY vwater I5a trapped between the pistons 43 and 59 will force the latter downwardly against the action of the spring 6I) until the pump cylinderchute orifice or orifices 63 are uncovered. At this time, water will be sprayed over the portion of the envelope'disposed under the chute I I upon which the stamp is to be applied.

As the shank 52 moves downwardly, the cam 1I and roller 69 will swing the lever 61 in a counter-clockwise direction, as illustrated by the dot-dash line position in Figure 1. This will retract the pawl 65 from the ratchet notch 64a to Vthe ratchet notch 64b. As soon as the cam 1I passes below the roller 69, the spring 10 will swing the pawl 65 to the right, advancing the feed roller H a distance equal to one-half the height of a stamp.V Thus the stamp will be projected completely into the chute II. This has occurred after water has been sprayed onto the envelope. Further downward movement of the Y shank 52 will cause the presser foot I2 to sever the stamp now disposed in the chute from the strip DI of stamps. The severedstamp will be forced into intimate contact with the envelope.

When the operator releases pressure on the knob I4, the shank 52 and itscams 53 and 1I will be forced upwardly by the coil spring 54 until they occupy the full line positions shown in Figure l. The return movement of the shank and cam 1I will cause the pawl 65 'to turn the feed roller H in a clockwise direction to such an extent as to advance another stamp one-half of its height into the chute II. At the same time, the pump mechanism F will be reset to the start- :ing position disclosed in Figure 1. The machine is ready now for a repeat operation.

I claim:

In a stamp-applying machine: a stamp-delivering chute; a reciprocable shank having a presser foot disposed in the chute; a rotatably mounted feed roller having-ratchet teeth fashioned around the periphery thereof; a pawi assembly pivotally mounted on the machine and engaging with the ratchet teeth; said pawl being spring biased to urge the rotation of the feed roller a predetermined Adistance to feed a stamp for a distance of one-half its height; a cam xed to the reciprocable shank and adapted to conand allow the rotation of the roller due to the biasing force after the cam has passed the pawl assembly for each down and up movement;

whereby the stamp is advanced one-half its height on the down movement of the shank and Y advanced the other half of its height on the up movement of the shank.

FRED GEHRING.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

